FREDERICTON (GNB) – Premier Brian Gallant announced changes to the senior ranks of the provincial civil service today.
“Jobs, education and health care remain priorities for our government,” said Gallant. “These changes will bring a renewed focus to these areas and enable us to continue to work hard to get things done for New Brunswickers.”
Eric Beaulieu, currently deputy clerk of the Executive Council Office and assistant deputy minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, will become deputy minister of Social Development and president of the Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation, effective May 23. Beaulieu replaces Craig Dalton, who has taken a position in his native Prince Edward Island. Hélène Bouchard will succeed Beaulieu as assistant deputy minister of intergovernmental affairs. Patricia Brown-MacKenzie will replace Beaulieu as deputy clerk of the Executive Council. Brown-MacKenzie already holds the position of deputy secretary to cabinet, secretary to the Jobs Board, secretary to the Policy Board and assistant deputy minister responsible for policy in the Executive Council Office; she will retain all of these positions.
Michael Comeau, currently an assistant deputy minister with Justice and Public Safety, will become deputy minister of Justice and Public Safety. Comeau replaces Johanne Bray, who has taken a position in her native Ottawa. This appointment is effective June 3.
Bill Levesque, currently deputy minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, takes on additional responsibilities as deputy minister of Aboriginal Affairs and the government's First Nations representative effective immediately. Levesque replaces Patrick Francis and Judith Keating, who are retiring from the civil service. Francis will remain with government until October 2017, focusing on specific First Nations files in the resource sector. Keating’s retirement will be effective May 31.
“I want to thank Patrick and Judith for their many years of service to New Brunswickers and wish them a happy retirement,” said Gallant. “I also want to thank Craig and Johanne for their support since joining the civil service in 2014 and wish them the best in the next chapters as they move closer to their families.”
The total number of deputy ministers is now 19, a reduction of 32 per cent from September 2014.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is a complete list of deputy ministers, deputy heads and presidents of Part I Crown corporations (* denotes a change or addition):
- Judy Wagner, clerk of the Executive Council and head of the public service, secretary to cabinet and deputy minister of the Executive Council Office;
- Jean Finn, deputy minister of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries and deputy minister of Energy and Resource Development;
- Lee Bell-Smith, deputy attorney general;
- John McLaughlin, deputy minister of Education and Early Childhood Development (anglophone sector);
- Gérald Richard, deputy minister of Education and Early Childhood Development (francophone sector);
- Kelli Simmonds, deputy minister of Environment and Local Government;
- Nicole Picot, deputy minister of Finance;
- Tom Maston, deputy minister of Health;
- Bill Levesque*, deputy minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, deputy minister of Aboriginal Affairs, and president of the Regional Development Corporation;
- Michael Comeau*, deputy minister of Justice and Public Safety;
- Jordan O’Brien, chief of staff of the Office of the Premier;
- Jean-Marc Dupuis, deputy minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour;
- Eric Beaulieu*, deputy minister of Social Development and president of the Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation;
- Kelly Cain, deputy minister of Transportation and Infrastructure;
- Gordon Gilman, deputy minister of and secretary to the Treasury Board;
- Francoise Roy, deputy minister of Tourism, Heritage and Culture;
- Jacques Pinet, CEO of the Jobs Board Secretariat;
- Stephen Lund, CEO of Opportunities NB; and
- Alan Roy, CEO of Service New Brunswick.